Mining machine



June 20, 1933. NL P. HOLMES 1,914,504

MINING MACHINE Filed Dec. 21, 1929 a E 7/5 53 f0 33 .Zfiventor: R J I I f 9 {A ZZfrrwBfi'oZmr/ea -1 1 (1 55 60 3% i 57/3 2 aw y.

Patented June 20, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE MORRIS IE. HOLMES, OF CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSI'IIRE', ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS MINING MACHINE Application filed December 21, 1929. Serial No. 415,673.

This invention relates to mining machines and more particularly, but not exclusively, to an improved flexible feeding means for a coal mining machine of the continuous cutter, bottom cutting type.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved feeding mechanism for a coal mining machine. Another object is to provide an improved feeding mechanism for a coal mining machine of the flexibly fed continuous cutter, bottom cutting type. A further object is to provide an improved fieX- ible feeding means for a coal mining machine having embodied therein improved mechanism for obtaining a relatively low feeding speed and a relatively high feeding speed. Another object is to provide an improved feeding mechanism for a mining ma chine including a step by step or intermittent feed mechanism for obtaining a relatively slow feeding speed and a direct continuous drive for obtaining a relatively high feeding speed. A further object is to provide an improved ratchet feed having embodied therein improved mechanism for reversing the ratchet to effect reversal of the feed without reversing the machine driving mot-or. These and other objects will hereinafter more fully appear in the course of the following description and as more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In this drawing,-

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a coal mining machine having embodied therein the illustrative form of the improved flexible feeding means.

Fig, 2 is an enlarged plan view of the forward or feed end of the machine shown in Fig. 1 and illustrating the improved flexible feeding means, parts being shown in hori-' zontal section to illustrate structural details.

Fig. .3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 33 of Figs. 1 and 2. 1

Fig. 4; is a detail transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 4- of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detail transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 55 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional View illustrating the plunger lock for the ratchet control member.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention, as shown in the drawing, the improved fleXible feeding means is embodied in a coal mining machine of the flexibly fed, bottom cutting, longwall type although it is evident that the various novel features of the improved feeding means may be incorporated in machines of various other types. In the illustrative construction shown, the mining machine generally comprises a generally rectangular frame or body 1 slidable on its bottom 2 over the mine bottom. As is usual in longwall machines, the body 1 comprises a central motor section 3, a cutter carrying section 4 and a feed frame section 5, the motor section 3 being interposed between and rigidly secured to the cutter and feed frame sections A and 5 respectively, thereby forming a rigid low compact frame slidable over the mine bottom. Pivotally mounted on the cutter frame section a at the rear end of the machine body for horizontal swinging movement relative thereto is an elongated plane cutter bar 6 carrying on its margin an endless cutter bit carrying cutter chain 7. As is usual in mining machines of the type disclosed, the cutter bar 6 carries a rotatable locking pin 8 adapted to cooperate selectively with a series of notches 9 formed on a circular flange 10 integral with the cutter frame section l for locking the cutter bar 6 in position at either side of the machine or lengthwise of the machine as shown in Fig. 1 in a well known manner. Housed within the motor section 3 is a motor 11 herein preferably of the reversible electric typehaving its armature shaft 12 horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of the machine. Any usual transmission mechanism housed within the cutter frame section 4: is provided to connect operatively the cutter chain 7 to the motor 11, for instance transmission mechanism similar to that disclosed in my copending application Ser. No. 186,446, filed September 20, 1926,

now matured into Patent No. 1,815,872, patented July 21, 1931. The machine is adapted to be fed over the mine bottom during the'cutting operation and when moving from place to place about the mine by flexible feeding means including a feed operating or haulage member, herein a feed drum 13, mounted, in the illustrative construction shown, for rotation about a vertical axis on the feed frame section 5 at the forward end and midway between the sides of the machine body. Cooperating with this feed operating member is a flexible feeding element herein a feed cable 14. Arranged at opposite sides of the for ward end of the machine adjacent the feed drum and suitably journaled about vertical axes on the feed frame section 5 are guide sheaves 15 and these sheaves are adapted to guide the feed cable relative to the feed drum during the various operations of the machine.

Now referring to the improved. transmission mechanism between the motor 11 and the feed drum, it will be observed that keyed to the forward end of the armature shaft 12 of the motor as shown in Fig. 2, is a spur pinion 16 meshing with an internal gear 17' keyed to a horizontal shaft 18. This shaft extends longitudinally of the machine and is suitably journalcd within the feed frame section 5. The shaft 18 carries a crank or eccentric 19 connected through a transverse link or connecting rod 20 to a crank pin 21 secured to the oscillatory pawl carrier 22 of a reversible step-by-step speed reducing or ratchet device generally designated 23. In the present construction, the pawl carrier 22 of the ratchet device is pivoted for oscillatory movement near its lower edge at 24 on a horizontal pivot pin 25 suitably secured to a bracket member 26 secured to the feed frame section. The pawl carrier 22 is provided with a large central opening to permit free oscillatory movement thereof relative to the shaft 18 and carries oppositely acting spring pressed pawls 27 and 28 adapted to have alternative coacting engagement with internal ratchet teeth 29 formed on a cylindrical ratchet member 30. The member 30 has a hub portion 31 keyed at 32 to a horizontal sleeve or hollow shaft This shaft encircles the transmission shaft 18, the latter extending therethrough, and is likewise suitably j ournaled within the feet frame section. The pawls 27, 28 are operative toeffeet rotation of the shaft 33 in either of opposite directions and improved means is employed for rendering the pawls alternatively effective and herein comprises a disc-like member or annular plate 34 having a central opening through which the shaft 18 extends and journaled on the latter. The member 34 is also provided at its outer periphery with spur gear teeth 35 with which teeth of a spur pinion 36 are adapted to mesh. The spur pinion is secured to a reciprocable shaft 37 slidably mounted within the feed frame section and secured to the outer end of the shaft 37 is an operating handle 38 conveniently located at the forward end of the machine frame. A spring 39, interposed between a collar carried by the shaft'and the machine frame, normally holds the shaft 37 in its innermost position, thereby normally maintaining the teeth of the spur pinion 36 out of mesh with the gear teeth 35 on the annular member 34. The member 34 is provided adjacent its outer periphery with a projecting shoulder 40 and is arcuately recessed at 41 as shown in Fig. 4. This arcuatc recess permits one of the pawls to move into operative engagement with the ratchet teeth 29 as shown in Fig. 4 while the other pawl. is held inwardly away from the ratchet teeth by engagement with the internal surface of t i shoulder 40. It is evident that when the member 34 is moved into its position opposite from that shown in Fig. 4, the recess 41 permits the other pawl 28 to be brought into effect, while the pawl 27 is held in its inoperative position by engagement of the shoulder 4O therewith. WVhen the ratchet control member 34 is in its central or neutral position both of the pawls 27 and 28 are held out of engagement with the ratchet teeth 29, thereby disconnecting the ratchet from the drive shaft 18. As shown in Fig. 4 the ratchet control member 34 is arcuatcly slotted at 42 and 43 to permit rotative movement thereof relative to the crank pin 21 and pivot pin 25 respectively, the slot being of sufiicient width to permit movement of the crank pin 21 back and forth. As shown in Fig. 6, a spring pressed plunger lock 44 is arranged within a recess formed in the pivot bracket 26, and this plunger lock is engageable with notches 45, 46 and 47 formed on the outer surface of the control member 34 for holding the latter in its different adjusted positions. It will thus be seen that the ratchet and pawl mechanism may be re versed at will or rendered inoperative simply by moving the spur pinion 36 into mesh with the teeth 35 011 the pawl control member 34 and rotating the latter to shift the pawls.

In the present construction, the shaft 33 has formed integral therewith a worm 48 meshing, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, with a worm wheel 49 rotatable about a vertical axis. This worm wheel is keyed to a clutch sleeve 50 rotatably supported on a vertical shaft 51 suitably journaled within the feed frame section. Keyed to the shaft 51 is a clutch sleeve 52 having teeth interlocked with the teeth of a shiftable clutch member 53. For shifting the clutch member 53 there the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 3,

the teeth of the clutch member 53 are interlocked with the teeth of the clutch members 50 and 52, thereby connecting the worm wheel to the shaft 51. By shifting the clutch member 53upwardly from the position shown in Fig. 3 the clutch member 53 is disconnected from the clutch member 50, thereby permitting the shaft to rotate freely relative to the worm wheel. As illustrated, keyed to the lower end of the shaft 51 is a spur pinion 57 meshing with the teeth of an internal gear 58 carried by the feed drum 13. This feed drum is suitably journaled on a vertical stud 59 carried within the lower portion of the feed frame section and the drum is arranged within a transverse chamber 60 extending completely across and opening through the sides of the feed frame section to permit the feed cable 14 to be extended from the feed drum in different directions. It will thus be seen that the feed drum 13 may be driven from the motor in either of opposite directions at a relatively slow speed through the gearing 16, 17, the reversible ratchet device 23, shaft 33, worm gearing 4:8, 19, shaft 51. and spur pinion 57 meshing with internal gear 58 carried by the feed drum. t will also be noted that the feed drum may be disconnected from its drive simply by releasing both pawls 27, 28 from the ratchet teeth 29. thereby permitting the shaft 18 to rotate freely or by releasing the clutch 53.

To effect rotation of the feed drum in winding direction at a relatively high speed, there is provided mechanism for connecting the worm 48 to the shaft 18 to effect rotation of the worm directly by the shaft. This mechanism, as shown in Fig. 2, comprises a clutch member 61 keyed to the front end of the shaft 18 and having clutch teeth interlocked with the clutch teeth of a shiftable clutch member 62. A shipper member 63 provided with an operating handle 64 is provided for shifting the clutch member 62 into its different positions. When the clutch member 62 shifted inwardly from the position shown in Fi 2 the teeth thereof interlock with clutch teeth 65 formed on the shaft 33, thereby connecting the shaft 33 directly to the shaft 18. hen the parts are thus positioned and both pawls 27 and 28 are released from the ratchet, the feed drum may be driven in winding direction at a relatively high speed from the motor through the gearing 16, 17, shaft 18, clutch 61, 62, 65, shaft 33, worm gearing 18, 19, shaft 51, and spur pinion 57 meshing with internal gear 58 carried by the feed drum. From the foregoing it is evident that when the ratchet drive is released and the clutch member 62 is in its connected position, a direct high speed drive for the feed drum is attained- The general mode of operation of the imat a relatively high haulage speed by eXten ding the feed cable 1 1 from the eed drum 13 to a suitable anchor located in advance of the machine. The operator then grasps the operating handle 64 and shoves the same inwardly, moving the clutch member 62 into a position to connect the shaft 33 directly to the shaft 18 and upon rotation of the shaft 18, it being understood that both oawls 27, 28 of the ratchet device are released at that time and the clutch 53 connected, the feed drum 13 is driven in winding direction at a relatively high speed, drawing in the cable 14, thereby moving the machine bodily over the mine bottom at a high haulage speed. Vv hen the machine is suitably positioned adjacent the coal face the clutch member 62is disconnected, thereby disconnecting the feed drum from its high speed drive. The operator then shifts the ratchet control member 34 to a position to connect the ratchet device to the shaft 33. The feed cable 1 1 is then e5; tended from the feed drum around the guide sheave 15 adjacent the coal face and rearwardly along the inner side of the machine as indicated in dotted line in Fig. 1 and connected in a. usual manner to suitable attaching means carried by the locking pin 8 as clearly described in my copending application mentioned above. The cutter chain 7 is then connected in a usual manner to the motor, and rapidly circulated about the outor edges of the cutter bar 6. At the same time the feed drum is rotated in winding direction at a relatively low speed, winding in the feed cable 14 and swinging the cutter bar 6 about its pivot from the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1 to the full line position shown in that figure to effect the sumping out beneath the coal. The clutch member 53 is then shifted to its released position. The cutter bar is then locked to the machine body by the locking pin 8 and the feed cable detached from the cutter bar and extended from the feed drum around the guide sheave 15 adjacent the coal face and forwardly from the machine as shown in full lines in Fig. 1, the free end of the cable being connected to a suitable anchor located adjacent the coal face in advance of the machine. The clutch is then again connected and the feed drum is rotated by power in winding direction at a relatively slow speed, winding in the feed cable and moving the machine bodily along the coal face at a cutting speed, causing the cutter bar to cut a horizontal kerf beneath the coal. These and other modes of use and advantages of the improved flexible feeding means will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

As a result of this invention, it will be noted that an improved flexible feeding means is provided for a mining machine of the continuous cutter bottom cutting type I proved mining machine is as follows: The I and includlng mechanism for driving the machine may be moved over the mine bottom flexible feeding means in either of opposite directions at a relatively low speed without reversing the motor and at a relatively high speed. It will further be evident that an improved flexible feeding means is provided wherein a ratchet device is employed for obtaining a relatively low feeding speed and a direct high speed drive for obtaining a relatively high feeding speed. It will further be noted that an improved ratchet device is employed for obtaining a relatively slow feeding speed and that this device may be reversed at will to effect drive of the feed operating member selectively in opposite directions, or may be entirely disconnected from its drive.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

lVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A mining machine feeding mechanism including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and means for intermittently driving said feed operating member at a relatively low speed in a direction to draw in its cooperating flexible feeding means including a drive shaft, a ratchet and pawl device coaxial therewith and including a ratchet ring and a cooperating oscillatory pawl carrier both surrounding said shaft, said pawl carrier arranged with its axis of oscillation offset from and parallel with the drive shaft axis, and driving connections between said shaft and said ratchet and pawl de ice.

2, A mining machine feeding mechanism including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with fl xible feeding means, and means for intermiaentiy driving said feed operating member at a relatively low speed in a direction to draw in its cooperating flexible feeding means including a drive shaft, a coaxial driven shaft, a ratchet and pawl device coaxial therewith and including a ratchet ring and a cooperating os-illatory pawl carrier both surrounding said shaft, said pawl carrier arranged with its axis of oscillation offset from and parailel with the drive shaft axis, driving connections between said drive shaft and said ratchet and pawl device, and driving connections between said ratchet and pawl device and said driven shaft.

3. A mining machine feeding mechanisn'r rcction to draw in its cooperating flexible feeding means including a drive shaft, a ratchet and pawl device coaxial therewith including an oscillatory pawl carrier surrounding said shaft, said pawl carrier arranged with its axis of oscillation offset from and parallel with the drive shaft axis, and driving connections between said drive shaft and said pawl carrier.

i. A mining machine feeding mechanism includin a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and mechanism for intermittently driving said feed operating member in a direction to draw in its cooperating flexible feeding means including a drive shaft, a coaxial driven shaft, a ratchet and pawl device coaxial therewith including an oscillatory pawl carrier surrounding said shaft, said pawl carrier arranged with its axis of oscillation offset from and parallel with the drive shaft axis, driving connections between said drive shaft and said pawl carrier, and driving connections between said ratchet and pawl device and said driven shaft.

5. A mining machine feeding mechanism including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and plural speed mechanism for intermittently driving said feed operating member in a direction to draw in its cooperating flexible feeding means at a relatively low speed including a drive shaft, a ratchet and pawl device coaxial therewith and including a ratchet ring surrounding said shaft, driving connections between said shaft and said ratchet and pawl device, and mechanism for connecting said shafts directly together to effect a continuous high speed drive of said member in the same direction, said connecting mechanism arranged at the end of said drive shaft remote from said ratchet and pawl device.

6. A mining machine feeding mechanism including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly wit-h flexible feeding means, and plural speed mechanism for intermittently driving said feed operating member in a direction to draw in its cooperating flexible feeding means at a relatively low speed including a drive shaft, a coaxial driven shaft, a ratchet and pawl device coaxial therewith, driving connections between said drive shaft and said ratchet and pawl device and including a ratchet ring and a cooperating oscillatory pawl carrier bot-h surrounding said shaft, driving connections between said ratchet and pawl device and said driven shaft, and mechanism for connecting said shafts directly together to effect a continuous high speed drive of said member in the same direction.

7. A mining machine feeding mechanism including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and plural speed mechanism for driving said feed operating member including a drive shaft, a ratchet and pawl device coaxial therewith including an oscillatory pawl carrier surrounding said shaft for intermittently driving said member in a direction to draw in its cooperating feeding means, driving connections between said drive shaft and said pawl carrier, and mechanism for connecting said shafts directly together to effect a continuous high speed driveof said mem ber in the same direction.

8. A mining machine feeding mechanism including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and plural speed mechanism for driving said feed operating member including a drive shaft, a coaxial driven shaft, a ratchet and pawl device coaxial therewith including an oscillatory pawl carrier surrounding said shaft for intermittently driving said member in a direction to draw in its cooperating feeding means, driving connections between said drive shaft and said pawl carrier, driving connections between said ratchet device and said driven shaft, and mechanism for coir necting said shafts directly together to effect a continuous high speed drive of said member in the same direction.

9. A mining machine feeding mechanism including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and mechanism for driving said feed operating member including a drive shaft, a coaxial driven shaft, and ratchet and pawl mechanism for transmitting rotation of said drive sha t to effect intermittent rotation of said driven shaft to effect slow speed rotation of said feed operating member in a direction to draw in its cooperating flexible feeding means including a crank on said drive shaft, an oscillatory pawl carrier arranged with its axis of oscillation offset from and parallel with the drive shaft axis and having a crank pin, and a connecting rod connecting said crank and said crank pin.

10. A mining machine fee-ding mechanism including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and mechanism for driving said feed operating member including a drive shaft, a coaxial driven shaft, and ratchet and pawl mechanism for transmitting rotation of said drive shaft to effect intermittent rotation of said driven shaft to effect slow speed rotation of said feed operating member in a direction to draw in its cooperating flexible feeding means including a crank on said drive shaft, an oscillatory pawl carrier arranged with its axis of oscillation offset from and parallel with the drive shaft axis and having a crank pin, a connecting rod connecting said crank and said crank pin, and a ratchet driven by said pawl carrier and connected to said driven shaft.

11. A mining machine feeding mechanism including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and plural speed mechanism for driving said feed operating member including a drive shaft, a coaxial driven shaft, a low speed ratchet and pawl mechanism for transmitting rotation of said drive shaft to effect intermittent rotation of said driven shaft to effect rotation of said feed operating member at a relatively low speed in a direction to draw in its cooperatin flexible feeding means including a crank on said drive shaft, an oscillatory pawl carrier having a crank pin, a connecting rod connecting said crank and said crank pin, and a ratchetdriven by said. pawl carrier and connected to said driven shaft, and means for connecting said shafts directly together to obtain a high speed continuous drive of said feed operating member in the same direction.

12. A mining machine feedingmechanism including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and a plural speed mechanism for rotating said member at either a high or a low speed including a drive shaft, a coaxial driven shaft, a pawl carrier mounted foroscillation and surrounding said first shaft, said carrier driving a ratchet ring fixed to said second shaft, and a clutch device for connecting said coaxial shafts directly together.

13. A mining machine feeding mechanism including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and a plural speed mechanism for ro tating said member at either a high or a low speed including a drive shaft, a pawl carrier mounted for oscillatory movement and surrounding said shaft, said carrier actuated by the latter, pawls on said carrier engaging a ratchet ring, a shaft coaxial with said drive shaft and to which, said ratchet ring is fixed, driving connections between said coaxial shaft and said feed operating member, and clutch means for connecting said coaxial shafts directly together.

14. A mining machine feeding mechanism including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and a plural speed mechanism for rotating said member at either a high or a low speed including a crank shaft, a pawl carrier mounted for oscillatory movement and surrounding said shaft, a connecting rod between said crank shaft and said pawl carrier for oscillating the latter, a driven shaft arranged coaxial with said crank shaft, a ratchet ring, fixed to said driven shaft and actuated by said pawl carrier, and a clutch for connecting said coaxial shafts directly together.

15. A mining machine feeding mechanism including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and a plural speed mechanism for rotating said member at either a high or a low speed including a drive shaft, a hollow driven shaft through which said drive shaft extends, a ratchet and pawl driving device between said drive shaft and said hollow shaft and arranged at one endof the latter, and a clutch at the other end of said hollow shaft for connecting said shafts directly together.

16. A mining machine feeding mechanism including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and a plural speed mechanism for rotating said member at either a high or a low speed including a drive shaft, a hollow driven shaft through which said drive shaft extends, a ratchet ring fixed to said hollow shaft at one end thereof, a pawl carrier mounted for oscillatory movement for actuating said ratchet ring, and a clutch for connecting the other end of said hollow shaft'directly to said drive shaft.

17. A mining machine feeding mechanism including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directl with flexible feeding means, and a plural speed mechanism for rotating saidmemloer at either a high or a low speed including a crank shaft, a hollow driven shaft through which said crank shaft extends, a ratchet ring fixed to one end of said hollow shaft, a pawl carrier mounted for oscillatory movement for actuating said ratchet ring, a connecting rod between said crank shaft and said pawl carrier, and a clutch for connecting the other end of said hollow shaft directly to said crank shaft.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

MORRIS P. HOLMES. 

